🍔 Tacoma's First Katsu Burger is Officially Open

If you've watched the Sixth Ave food scene shift over the last few years, here's the latest.

Katsu Burger, the Seattle-born Japanese-fusion chain, has officially opened its first Tacoma location at 2805 6th Ave, the former Redd Dog taproom. It's the chain's 9th location and the team, co-owners Stephanie Kang and Yousok Jung, plus operations manager Christopher Poetter, said they'd been looking for the right Tacoma spot for years.

🥢 What's a Katsu Burger?
Katsu Burger's signature is a panko-crusted, deep-fried katsu cutlet, usually pork or chicken — served on a bun with Japanese-inspired toppings. Think tonkatsu sauce, teriyaki glazes, wasabi mayo, nori, and other umami-forward additions.

The menu's most popular items:

• Tokyo Classic — the OG katsu burger

• Godzilla Attack — spicy, loaded

• Samurai Select — premium build

• Katsu Curry — with pork

• Teriyaki Chicken

• Vegetarian options available

Sandwiches run most $11.40–$13.50. Fries come with house sauces (curry, wasabi mayo, nori ranch, teriyaki) and they make Japanese-style shakes too.

🏪 What Happened to the Space
The Redd Dog had been a Sixth Ave fixture before closing, the taproom-and-pizza concept built a loyal crowd but ultimately wrapped. Katsu Burger took over the location and gave it a full visual reset:

• Repainted in their signature orange and purple

• Pizza oven replaced with fryers and shake machines

• Same building footprint, completely new vibe

🍔 Soft Open Now, Grand Opening Soon
Katsu Burger quietly soft-opened the first weekend in April. The grand opening with giveaways and other specials is rolling out now in May.

For the first few weeks, the Tacoma menu is sandwiches, fries, and shakes only. The full menu, including katsu bowls and additional sides available at their other locations, will expand once they're fully ramped up.

📍 Hours & Location
Katsu Burger Tacoma
2805 6th Ave, Tacoma, WA
Mon–Thu 11am–9pm
Fri–Sat 11am–9:30pm
Closed Sunday

📈 Why It Matters
Sixth Ave has been one of Tacoma's most-watched food corridors for the last decade. Each new opening reshapes the block, and Katsu Burger's arrival adds a recognizable name to a neighborhood that's been doing the work of building local food momentum for years.

For locals, it means a Japanese-fusion option that previously required a drive to Seattle, Federal Way, or Tukwila. For the broader Tacoma food scene, it's another signal that regional chains are recognizing the market.

📬 I'm Aaron Thomas, a local realtor sharing stories that connect us to the places we call home. Every Friday, we publish the South Sound Report, keeping you informed about what's happening in Tacoma, Olympia, DuPont, Puyallup, Lakewood, and the communities in between.

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